Chapter 303: Someone "complained"
Wang Meng has now resigned from the post of editor-in-chief of "People's Literature" magazine and been promoted to minister. He had a busy day at work, but he did not give up reading and writing and used his spare time to complete it. He wrote the novella "The Legend of Famous Doctor Liang Youzhi".
This novel later won the National Legend Literature Award and was rated as an outstanding novella by "Selected Novellas".
At the same time, he must read every issue of major national magazines such as "People's Literature", "Yenjing Youth", "Contemporary" and "Harvest", including "Yanhe".
On the one hand, it provides ideas for one's own creation, and on the other hand, it also studies new trends and new trends in current literary works.
As a minister, that's what I'm in charge of.
But I took out this copy of "Yanhe" today because Liu Xingwu, who succeeded him as editor-in-chief of "People's Literature", came to visit him.
Liu Xingwu, 54, is also a famous writer in the domestic literary world. He published the short story "Class Teacher" in 1977, which is regarded as the beginning of scar literature.
The novel "The Bell and Drum Towers" he created won the second Mao Dun Literature Award together with Fang Minghua's "Crossing Guandong" in 1985.
Liu Xingwu also had great ambitions after becoming the editor-in-chief. He wanted to continue to maintain the glory of "People's Literature", so it was normal for him to come to visit his predecessor and the old leader.
The two were talking about starting a magazine, and Wang Meng took out the newly revised version of "Yanhe".
Liu Xingwu took a look and immediately said: "Minister Wang, this is a fire caused by Fang Minghua's competition for the appointment of editor-in-chief. The cover paper has been changed to look more fashionable, but it actually published an advertisement! The same is true for "Yanhe" How can a long-established national publication become as tacky as a popular magazine?”
Wang Meng could not comment on Liu Xingwu’s comments on the issue of advertising in magazines, but he did not comment much.
Publishing advertisements for serious literature is still a very sensitive matter nowadays. It is very controversial in society. Now that I am in a high position, I have to be cautious in everything I say and do.
"Xingwu, I'm very interested in this novel they published on the front page." Wang Meng turned to the magazine editor's recommendation column, and it was Ge Fei's "Remembering Mr. Wu You".
"I also read this novel. It's really well written. I didn't expect it to be written by a 21-year-old young man." Liu Xingwu was also full of praise. "If the novels published by this young man named Ge Fei can maintain this level in the future, he will also be a rising star in the literary world."
Wang Meng nodded after hearing this, and then said: "I am in Guangming Daily "I read a piece of news on "Yanhe" magazine that held a symposium on literary creation of young and middle-aged writers in Xijing in early May. The standards were quite high and several young writers were invited, including this Ge Fei? "
"Yes! But what Fang Minghua did is too unethical!"
"What's wrong?"
"On behalf of their "Yanhe" magazine, he actually had sex with several young people The writer signed an "Excellent Writers Cooperation Agreement", which provides many preferential policies, but the condition is that all short stories and short stories within eight years must be published by their magazine. Isn't this a contract of betrayal? ”
"Is there such a thing?" Wang Meng was also surprised after hearing this: "Xingwu, how did you know?"
"Hey, Minister Wang, didn't you tell me to pay attention to a writer named Mo Yan before you left? Is it the one who wrote "Transparent Carrot"? A few days ago, I specially sent the editor to contact him to see if there were any good works recently. But Mo Yan said I was sorry, he had already signed a contract with "Yanhe". I didn’t know about this until I made an appointment and couldn’t submit articles to other magazines.”
Liu Xingwu became angry when he thought about this.
There are also Liu Sola and Can Xue who first published articles in "People's Literature" and became famous, but this time they were snatched away by Fang Minghua!
"Is this really happening? Who else besides Mo Yan?" Wang Meng was very interested.
"Later I learned through Mo Yan that in addition to Mo Yan, there was this Ge Fei, and there were also Su Tong, Yu Hua, Liu Sola, Ma Yuan, Tie Nuan... a dozen writers!"
These names, Wang Meng I have heard of them, such as Liu Sola, Ma Yuan, Mo Yan, Tie Nuan, and some have never heard of them, such as Yu Hua, Gao Jianqun, and Ge Fei. But I was also secretly surprised.
From the perspective of Ge Fei, whose name I have never heard of before, the first novel is so exciting and has absolutely unlimited potential. "This Fang Minghua is very good at what he does. He wants to get all the new domestic writers to join their "Yanhe"!" Wang Meng said with a smile.
"That's right! So, Minister Wang, you have to stop him from doing this! What he does violates fair competition!" Liu Xingwu took the opportunity to suggest.
"Fair competition?" Wang Meng's expression became serious, "Xingwu, have you read the content of the agreement they made with the Great God?"
"I haven't read it, but the editor I sent did. Yes, the conditions are indeed very favorable."
"Did it violate the relevant national laws, regulations and policies?"
"It seems not," Liu Xingwu told the truth.
"Then how do you want me to stop it? Use a red-headed document? It's against the rules. The country now advocates governing the country by law." Wang Meng explained.
"Xingwu, although Fang Minghua made that great appointment and attracted more than a dozen rising stars in the literary world, there are more than a dozen young writers in our country, right? There must be more! Moreover, as an editor, a very important job is to Discovering new people is like Fang Minghua discovering Ge Fei!" Wang Meng's expression became serious.
“On this point, Xingwu, as the editor-in-chief, you must learn from Fang Minghua. Last year, the article "You Have No Choice" written by Liu Sola caused a sensation when it was published in our "People's Literature". In fact, I heard Liu Sola himself say, This novel was originally sent to Fang Minghua. Fang Minghua was full of praise after reading it and strongly recommended that "Yanhe" magazine publish it. However, he was the deputy editor in charge of poetry at the time, and it was he who later suggested Liu Sola to submit it to our "People's" magazine. "Literature", let us get a bargain."
After hearing Wang Meng's words, Liu Xingwu was secretly surprised.
There are still such twists and turns. This Fang Minghua has a really good eye for recognizing people.
"Xingwu, you don't have to worry. After all, our "People's Literature" is a state journal, and our editorial power is much stronger than theirs. Moreover, we are located in Yanjing and are in a quieter corner than their "Yanhe" Advantage." Wang Meng comforted.
"You have a very important job: to pay close attention to new trends in literary creation, and to be a trendsetter who leads literary trends, rather than a follower! This is especially important as the editor-in-chief of "People's Literature"!"
"Minister Wang, I will definitely do what you say!" Liu Xingwu immediately expressed his stance.
“Well, I’m very optimistic about you too.”
But what Wang Meng didn’t expect was that maybe he wanted to lead the contemporary literary trend too much and tried too hard. A year later, "People's Literature" "Published a novel written by an author named Ma Jian, which violated ethnic policies. As the editor-in-chief, Liu Xingwu took responsibility and was suspended for inspection.
At this time, Fang Minghua did not expect that Liu Xingwu would go to Wang Meng." Complain." He was still thinking about how to make "Yanhe" magazine glorious as soon as possible.
Magazine content is king, but that doesn’t mean other things aren’t considered.
As "Yanhe", a big disadvantage is that its geographical location is somewhat remote. Xijing is located in the northwest, and its economic strength and reading population cannot be compared with large cities such as Yanjing and Shencheng.
Got out.
Should we go to Shanghai and Yanjing to talk to the local Xinhua Bookstore managers and ask them to buy more books?
In addition to readers’ year-end subscriptions, Xinhua Bookstore sales are the main channel at this stage.
Also, can "Yanhe" be advertised in major domestic media such as "People's Daily"? Readers are welcome to subscribe.
These are all things he needs to consider as an editor-in-chief.
How about calling Bai Miao and the others over tomorrow morning and having a meeting to discuss and brainstorm?
But something suddenly happened at home, which made him a little confused.
Song Tangtang is pregnant.
(End of this chapter)